Locking chain snap



Dec..15, 1925. 1,565,678

E. SEVERSON LOCKING CHAIN SNAP Filed Sept. 2, 1925 A TT ORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 15, 1925,

PATENT QFFICE,

ELMER SEVERSON, 0F DEERFIELD,JWISCONSIN.

LOCKING CHAIN SNAP.

Application filed September 2, 1925. Serial No. 54,158.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER SnvnnsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Deerfield, in the county of Dane and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locking Chain Snaps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to locking chain snaps for tie chains for cattle and the like; and the objects of my invention are, first, to provide a rigid tubular frame with a clevis swiveled on a headed bolt secured within the rear end of the frame by a pin; second, to provide a bifurcated latch with a downwardly projecting tang, adapted to be disposed through the bottom of the frame adjacent the front end thereof and locked there, by a slidable locking bolt actuated by a spring; third, to unlock the latch by means of a key.

I attain these objects by the mechanism shown in the accompanying drawing in which- Fig. l, is a plan;

Fig. 2, is a side elevation;

Fig. 3, is the same side elevation partly in section on line 3 3 Fig. l;

Fig. 4, is a transverse vertical section on line 4-4 Fig. 2;

Fig. 5, is a transverse vertical section on line 5--5 Fig. 3;

Fig. 6, is a plan of the slidable `locking bolt' Fig. 7 is an end elevation of the same;

Fig. 8, is a side elevation of the same.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The frame is sheet metal formed into a square tube for a distance, then the top 1 is removed and the sides 2 rounded downward at the front end, and the bottom 6 pierced to permit the tang 3 of a latch a to pass downward through the same. A mortise 5a r pierces the top 1 and bottom 6 in vertical alignment for inserting and operating a key 7, and a similar but shorter mortise is located adjacent the rear end for disposing a pin S, which passes downward through a groove in the side of a headed bolt 9 which connects a clevis 1() to the rear end of the frame, and provides a means for attaching a chain 10a. A locking bolt 11 is slidably disposed inthe hollow of the frame and restricted in its movements by a screw 12 threaded through the bottom 6 and'extending into a channel 13 in the bottom of the same, a similar channel 13a is formed in the side of the bolt in vertical alignment with the mortise 5a through which the key 7 passes in unlocking the latch 4a. A spring 14 is disposed in the hollow of the frame, forward of the headed bolt 9, and between it and the slidable locking bolt l1, for keeping the bolt 1l pressed forward into the notch l5 in the latch. The latch 4 as will be seen by reference to Figs. l and 2, is composed of right and left members secured together in contact for a distance, thence diverging sufiicient for one end of a chain 15n to be inserted between them and secured to them by a pin 16, the members may be fastened together by rivets 17 or spot welded as desired, said latch is of even width for a distance, thence increased sufficient to form the tang 3a. To use this device, secure the latch to the end link of a chain, and attach the clevis to a link at a distance to form a loop of the desired size to pass around the animals neck, so that when the latch is secured to the frame the tie is complete. To lock the snap, remove the key and press the tang down through the mortise in the bottom plate 6, then the bolt 11 will seat in the notch 15 in the latch. To unlock, force the key 7 through the mortise 5a which will press the bolt ll backward and release the latch.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

In a device of the kind described, a square tubular frame with the forward top portion removed and a mortise through the bottom plate adapted to receive the tang of a latch, a plurality of aligned mortises through both top and bottom plates, one for admitting a key, and the other for disposing a pin for securing a headed bolt within the rear end of the frame, for revolubly mounting a clevis for attaching to a chain, a 'latch with the outer end bifurcated for attaching a chain, and the inner end provided with a notched tang adapted to seat in the mortise in the bottom of the frame, a slidable bolt disposed Within the frame the rear end contacting a spring between it and the front end of the headed bolt, and the Jfront end adapted to enter the notch in the latch, a channel in one sido of the bolt for admitting a key, and one in the bottom to receive a screw for restricting the forward movement of the same, in combination With a key for unlocking the latch.

In testimon7 whereof I affix my signature.

ELMER SEVERSON. 

